He first wondered how his kids were doing at school, especially Kenneth, who is more sensitive to the particulate matter in the air.

Upon learning that his son would be running a mile outside, he called the Soulsbyville School District, but didn’t get through to anyone, so he pulled his kids out of school.

Hance didn’t want to take any chances.

The Soulsbyville School District said students have the option to stay indoors. Masks also are available.

But classes are in session, and will stay that way.

The decision follows a conversation the area’s superintendents had with the Tuolumne County Health Department.

Health officials told KCRA 3 the air is improving since the Rim Fire first started, but it’s still considered unhealthy.

The Air Alert for the area has been in effect for 3 1/2 weeks, with the worst week being five to seven days after the fire sparked, when particulate matter in the air was measured to be at its peak, said Todd Stolp, a public health officer with Tuolumne County.

Students were advised to stay indoors Monday morning, but after 1 p.m., officials determined it was OK to go outside, Stolp said.

Those with respiratory issues are urged to take further precautions.

Stolp said a good rule of thumb is, if there is less than a 5-mile visibility, those with respiratory issues should not go outside.

CREWS EXPECT TO HAVE THAT FIRE COMPLETELY CONTAINED BY SEPTEMBER 20. AND AIR ALERT IS IN EFFECT FOR TUOLUMNE COUNTY. SCHOOLS ARE NOW BACK IN SESSION. JANET O SPOKE TO ONE PARENT WHO TELLS ME WHY HE IS STILL CONCERNED. 13-YEAR-OLD KENNETH IS AT HOME INSTEAD OF SCHOOL TODAY. HE HAS BEEN HOME ALL DAY BECAUSE OF ONE REASON. WE GOT HIM FROM SCHOOL BECAUSE THE AIR WAS SO BAD. I HAVE ASTHMA AND IT WAS STARTING TO AFFECT ME. MY SON HAS ASTHMA. IT WAS HARD TO BREATHE. CANADA SAID IT WOULD HAVE BEEN HARDER TO BREATHE IF YOU PARTICIPATED -- KENNETH SAID IT WOULD HAVE BEEN HARDER TO BREATHE IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN THE. TODAY, WE WERE GOING TO DO THE MILE. STUDENTS HAVE THE OPTION TO STAY INDOORS. SOME PARENTS SAY YOU CANNOT ESCAPE THE BAD AIR UNLESS YOU LEAVE TOWN. MAYBE WE ARE JUST USED TO IT. BREATHE IT HERE OR AT HOME. MY KIDS WEAR MASKS. THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAYS STUDENTS WERE ASKED TO STAY INDOORS UP UNTIL 1:00 THIS AFTERNOON. OFFICIALS SAY THE AIR IS STILL CONSIDERED UNHEALTHY. THIS FAMILY IS NOT TAKING ANY CHANCES. EVEN NOW, WE ALL HAVE SORE THROATS. THAT IS WHY IT IS NOT GOOD FOR THE KIDS TO BE OUTSIDE AT SCHOOL. THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAYS THE AIR QUALITY WAS THAT IT'S WORTH ABOUT A WEEK AFTER THE FIRE.